I think I asked this last year, too, but we have new people, so I thought I'd ask again.
We do have a budget and we try to stick as closely to it as we can. Last year, the grocery bill really kicked us, especially the last quarter of 2014; the prices of things like beef, butter, and such went through the roof. Even 85/15 ground beef hit about $5 a pound around here. Vet bills increased for us, too, in 2014; BooBoo has been having more than his share of physical problems and has needed to be seen and get his shots more often. Thankfully, gas has decreased, but we kept the Gas budget amount the same because what goes down will go back up eventually; it's just a matter of when and how much. Our insurances have increased quite a bit, both homeowners and vehicle insurance. We spent more on the vehicles, largely because of tires and other maintenance. Other things have pretty much stayed the same, a slight increase, but nothing major. Everything increased, but our paychecks.
Rick finally finished our 2015 budget yesterday afternoon. We had to increase the grocery budget and the vet amount. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep the groceries in check to match the budgeted amounts, but some weeks it's a struggle. We don't buy a lot of packaged or convenience foods. And I do use coupons when I can. As for the vet, Boo needs a dental and I'm sure Ms. Pepe does, too. The rest of the kids should be OK and not need much of anything, other than their rabies shots, but we'll see. BooBoo is really having issues with arthritis and allergies.
What about you? Do you have a budget and do you try to stick to it? Have you noticed any increases for your family?
We do have a budget and we try to stick as closely to it as we can. Last year, the grocery bill really kicked us, especially the last quarter of 2014; the prices of things like beef, butter, and such went through the roof. Even 85/15 ground beef hit about $5 a pound around here. Vet bills increased for us, too, in 2014; BooBoo has been having more than his share of physical problems and has needed to be seen and get his shots more often. Thankfully, gas has decreased, but we kept the Gas budget amount the same because what goes down will go back up eventually; it's just a matter of when and how much. Our insurances have increased quite a bit, both homeowners and vehicle insurance. We spent more on the vehicles, largely because of tires and other maintenance. Other things have pretty much stayed the same, a slight increase, but nothing major. Everything increased, but our paychecks.
Rick finally finished our 2015 budget yesterday afternoon. We had to increase the grocery budget and the vet amount. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep the groceries in check to match the budgeted amounts, but some weeks it's a struggle. We don't buy a lot of packaged or convenience foods. And I do use coupons when I can. As for the vet, Boo needs a dental and I'm sure Ms. Pepe does, too. The rest of the kids should be OK and not need much of anything, other than their rabies shots, but we'll see. BooBoo is really having issues with arthritis and allergies.
What about you? Do you have a budget and do you try to stick to it? Have you noticed any increases for your family?